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Heartburn: Reducing Pressure on Your Stomach

Topic Overview

Putting pressure on your stomach may push
stomach juices into your esophagus, causing
heartburn. You can make changes to help relieve your
symptoms of heartburn. Here are some things to try:

It’s best to eat several small meals instead of
two or three large meals.

After you eat, wait 2 to 3 hours before
you lie down. Late-night snacks aren't a good idea.

If you get
heartburn at night, raise the head of your bed
6 in. (15 cm) to
8 in. (20 cm) by putting the
frame on blocks or placing a foam wedge under the head of your mattress.
(Adding extra pillows does not work.)

Do not wear tight clothing
around your middle.

Lose weight if you need to. Losing just 5 to
10 pounds can help.

Be careful when lifting and bending. Bending over tends to increase
the amount of stomach acid that can get into your esophagus. When lifting, bend
your knees—rather than bending over—to avoid putting more pressure on your stomach.

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